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Lightning strikes again? Ford F-150 Raptor may be branded SVT
Click above for high-res gallery of Ford F-150 "Raptor" spy shots
The rumored Ford F-150 "Raptor" high-performance off-road truck may be branded an SVT model when and if it reaches dealer showrooms. So says Sean Holman at Four Wheeler Magazine, at least. If true, this would mark the return of the SVT label being used front and center on a vehicle since John Coletti, the legendary head honcho of Ford's in-house tuning arm during its heyday, retired in 2004. Ford's Special Vehicle Team is still alive and well within the Blue Oval, having participated in developing a number of special Mustang models in recent years including the GT500, which features SVT badges all over its exterior and interior but not in its name.
Affixing the letters S-V-T to a truck will bring on inevitable comparisons to the late, great SVT Lightning F-150, which was produced for ten years between 1993 and 2003. While that high-performance truck was meant for on-road shenanigans, the "Raptor" is being developed in the vein of a Baja truck with big tires, bigger ground clearance and a big appetite for jumping things like sand dunes and rows of Foci. Production of the "Raptor" truck itself is just a rumor, however, despite heavily covered prototypes seen idling around Dearborn. The addition of an SVT badge would make the secretly developed desert stormer that much more legitimate in our eyes, even if Ford's in-house tuning program has never proven itself off the beaten path.
Gallery: Ford F150 "Raptor" - Spy Shots
[Source: Four Wheeler Blog via Pickuptruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 4:22PM (4/08/2008)
I dont see an M-plate?
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Dance Lady 4:26PM (4/08/2008)
yeah...where is the M-plate?
http://www.i-guide.ro
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Chris 4:31PM (4/08/2008)
The only thing about this that looks like a prototype is the roll cage. My guess is this is just a customized vehicle caught on Ford property.
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SPG 4:39PM (4/08/2008)
This truck looks unfinished and thrown together like a mule.
I'd bet money it's not a personal truck as opposed to a mule.
Dave 9:02AM (4/09/2008)
I hope this isn't the Raptor. It needs to be lowered at least 8." The truck looks like its ready to roll over just sitting there.
SPG 4:40PM (4/08/2008)
Sweet!
Bring back SVT.
I would love to see a new SVT product lineup.
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PhilJ 4:41PM (4/08/2008)
SVT never went away. Who did the GT500? Who did the GT? Who's doing the "Raptor"?
SVT...
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Ferg 4:48PM (4/08/2008)
I can imagine the owner right now reading this article and laughing because his "personal" truck is an apparent prototype. Not saying it is, but its one of those things that is hard to tell.
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Fooman 5:21PM (4/08/2008)
seconded
CarbonBlack 7:25PM (4/08/2008)
I think it is someone's personal truck. as a personal truck, it looks pitiful, so i can't fathom it being a concept (concepts usually cost a ton)
superdart 5:56PM (4/08/2008)
....and if it was Ford developed...my next question would be, WHY??
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Cornholio 6:45PM (4/08/2008)
Agree - who exactly is the target market for this thing, considering 4 dollar/gal fuel and its "off-road" intentions?
It would be great to see SVT come back in a public way, though. Thoughts of an SVT-branded hot Euro focus or Mondeo put a smile on my face....
seanpholman 5:02PM (4/08/2008)
This is an old picture. The "M" Plate is hard to see, but is in the rear window on the right hand side. This was the first Raptor mule/prototype and uses a JD Fab suspension kit and aftermarket fiberglass fenders. It is stickered up like this so you won't think it is a company vehicle.
--Sean
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Guenther 8:34PM (4/08/2008)
Right- same pictures we saw last time there was raptor post here. Pictures look like they're from just outside Fords main (engineering) campus on Oakwood.
Ford continuing the project seems reasonable as long as H2 SUTs and Dodge Powerwagons are still selling.
Austin 5:02PM (4/08/2008)
I say name it FX5
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thesawzall 5:24PM (4/08/2008)
The Spike channel's Trucks is doing a build-off between a Lightning and a Chevy 454 SS p/u. It'll be interesting to see what they can get out of those old trucks, seeing as sport trucks of the early 90's made less power than some of the regular V8 models do today.
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Joe K. 6:16PM (4/08/2008)
Having owned a 94 lighting with the 351W I will tell you that truck loves upgrades. They get fast quickly. The 454SS is the same way, used to run into them at the tracks. Cams, exhaust and a manifold away from some serious numbers. Its surprising how fast the old bricks can get.
LT-1 SS 5:41PM (4/08/2008)
Umm... all while gas is shooting for $4/gal? Yep... bring it back or keep on building them... whatever.
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Luna34 8:30PM (4/08/2008)
I personally think it would be smart to put this vehicle on the market, it has a lot of potential. There is a market out there for these capable off-road vehicles and nobody really offers a serious off-road truck from the factory. Sure there is FX4 and Z71, but these vehicles are just mainly packages with 4x4 and harder suspension for off-roading. Out here in california people pay outrageous prices for lifted trucks that are customized by car dealers. It would be nice to see a nice svt f-150 with a powerful V8 supercharged engine under the hood, good off-road suspension with ground clearance and actual off-roading tires. Seems like it would be very capable. Also it might increase the possibilities of bringing back the svt lightning if they throw the same engine on a single cab short bed.
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killyoutoo 9:22PM (4/08/2008)
Ugh Lightnings were terrible. What is the fascination with going fast in a truck and not being able to turn?
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